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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Quick survey on c-sections - DID THIS HAPPEN TO YOU??

43 replies

diddle · 07/04/2007 16:13

Now i've spoken to a couple of people who have agreed with me and i want to know if anyone else has this happen.

Once i had had my c-section the first night i had excruciating pain in my shoulder and chest, so much so that i thought i would stop breathing with the pain.

Did anyone else get this weird happening?

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raspberryberet · 07/04/2007 16:21

I had two sections, and didn't experience what you describe with either of them.

fishie · 07/04/2007 16:24

didn't happen to me but i've heard of it, i think it's called referred pain (??)

lissielouwithbunnyears · 07/04/2007 16:24

it could have been gas, a cs is major abdominal surgery, and as a result you do get a build up of gas. i had something simillar after surgery to rectify internal bleeding post laproscopy. not with my cs tho

kittypants · 07/04/2007 16:25

no not with any of my 3.that i can remember.and each one hurt less/healed quicker after!

LaDiDaDi · 07/04/2007 16:27

No, it didn't happen to me but I bet that lissielou is right regarding the cause of your pain.

lissielouwithbunnyears · 07/04/2007 16:31

in my surgery they cut across my cs scar , and the pain i had was v similar to how you describe. it lasted about 1w

Original poster
diddle · 07/04/2007 16:33

oh good, i'm glad its not something i should have thought about before having the section. bloody hurt though. never thought about it being gas/wind. makes sense.

OP posts:
lucy5 · 07/04/2007 16:34

No I didn't.

Millarkie · 07/04/2007 16:37

Yes i got the shoulder pain (made breastfeeding even more difficult). one of the midwives told me it was because of a connection between the nerves of pelvic area and shoulder.

wurlywurly · 07/04/2007 16:37

OMG yes, I put it down to having my arm and shoulder in the same position. The mw and doctors couldnt explain what the pain was.

sophiewd · 07/04/2007 16:59

No

TuttiFrutti · 07/04/2007 19:42

No, didn't get this with either of my 2 c-ss.

MorocconOil · 07/04/2007 19:45

Not me either.

McCadburysDreamyegg · 07/04/2007 19:46

No

fruitful · 07/04/2007 19:49

Yes, I did. The mw told me I was imagining it. .

baffledbybaby · 07/04/2007 19:50

Yes I had the shoulder pain, not excrutiating but i didn't want to/couldn't move if you know what I mean. The woman in the bed opposite me also had it (for much longer than me). The mw said it could happen after any sugery not just CS.

Highlander · 07/04/2007 20:02

yep, it's referred pain via your phrenic nerve. As they guddle, they bash the diaphragm a bit, irritating the phrenic nerve back to your right shoulder and neck. V common side-effect of CSs!!

Hulababy · 07/04/2007 20:07

Had a c section, unplanned. Didn't have the pains you describe.

franke · 07/04/2007 20:07

Nope, not that I remember.

zookeeper · 07/04/2007 20:17

Yes I had it with my third - it was really strong and I thought that I was having a heart attack - the midwife was great and told me it was referred pain and very common after cs.

RedFraggle · 07/04/2007 20:51

Nope, no pain other than the obvious location!

Kitsilano · 08/04/2007 18:42

Yes - I have had ovarian cysts removed 3 times and a c-section and each time I have had this shoulder pain which I was also told was "referred pain". Horrible!

ChipButty · 08/04/2007 18:45

Yes. Had this with both C sections (both emergency) though worse with 1st. Was told it was the gas they had used to inflate abdomen.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 08/04/2007 20:59

Not with my c-sec but had it after laparoscopy. Due to the gas, thought I was going to die the pain was so bad. Next laparoscopy I drank peppermint tea as was told that it helps with gas dispersal.

Infact at hospital now they give women peppermint oil capsules.

LieselVentouse · 08/04/2007 21:34

Dont know - the diamorphine knocked me out for several days